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Wallhead is the sixth competitor confirmed for the Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament (Photo courtesy of Bellator).

British Judokan to Compete for Shot at Welterweight Title

The Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament continues to fill up with some impressive names, the latest of them being British Judokan Jim Wallhead (21-5). A winner in 12 of his past 13 fights, Wallhead now joins a stacked competition with his sights set on getting a crack at Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren.

“Wallhead was a fighter we wanted to be part of Bellator for some time, but because of the volcanic ash in Europe, his arrival in the Bellator cage got delayed for a few months,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney remarked. “After his fight with Ryan Thomas, it was clear he was worth the wait. I'm excited to see if he can carry the momentum from that victory into the Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament.”

Wallhead fought Thomas in his promotional debut at Bellator 32, scoring a unanimous decision victory. The win was the eight in a row for the English native, who has not lost a match in nearly three years.

“I guarantee people are looking past me heading into this tournament,” Wallhead stated. “I'm prepared to surprise all doubters everywhere. I will one hundred percent give every guy in this tournament a war, so bring it!”

After spending most of his career in the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, which is based in his native country, Wallhead voiced his excitement about testing the waters in Bellator against some of the top welterweights in Mixed Martial Arts.

“I feel pumped getting ready to enter a tournament as stacked as this one,” Wallhead commented. “There are some great fighters in the mix, and it’s wide open for everyone to make a name for themselves. It would be a dream come true to be the last man standing out of these eight talented fighters. What an achievement.”

With the addition of Wallhead, six fighters have now been confirmed for the upcoming tournament. Also slated to compete are former title-holder Lyman Good, Dan Hornbuckle, Rick Hawn, Brent Weedman and Chris Lozano. The tournament will kick off in March, as Bellator begins the first of a three-year partnership with MTV2.